Indonesia urges ceasefire in Libya

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Mon, March 28 2011, 1:46 PM

Freeze!: Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa during in a hearing session at the House of Representatives on Monday. The Indonesian government called for an immediate ceasefire in Libya, fearing more innocent civilians would be killed. (Antara/Rosa Panggabean)

The Indonesian government has urged for an immediate ceasefire in Libya between members of the local military and allied forces (including the US, France and UK among others), fearing further civilian casualties.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told a working meeting with the House of Representatives’ Commission I here on Monday that an immediate ceasefire in Libya had become urgent.

"In the past eight days we have seen an increase in the number of civilian victims and therefore there should be an immediate truce, the presence of UN forces in the field, and a political process in Libya," Marty said, as quoted by kompas.com.

He also asserted that Indonesia rejected violence of any kind in Libya.

"In reality from the beginning we have rejected violence by Gaddafi’s followers, rebels, and even the coalition group because violence itself will only cause suffering to the civil population."

Various issues including those related to the Libyan conflict and the post-tsunami management for Indonesian citizens in Japan will be discussed at a working meeting between Marty and Commission I.